Margaret (Peggy) was born Feb. 26, 1926 in Boonsboro, Bedford Co, VA, to Louise Fisher Meriwether, and Hamilton Otey Meriwether. She graduated valedictorian from Boonsboro High School, attended Madison University and graduated from the University of Minnesota, with a BS degree in medical technology. After marrying Garland Mason Gay in 1947, Peggy worked at the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville while Garland completed his degree from the Architecture School at UVA. They moved back to Lynchburg in 1949, and Peggy became the first medical technologist with a university degree to work at Lynchburg General Hospital.

Through her life, Peggy was a devoted member of Rivermont Presbyterian Church,and was the first woman deacon, and also an elder of the church. She was an avid fisherman, and caught several citation speckled trout while at her beloved beach cottage with Garland in Duck, NC.

Peggy was selfless in her devotion to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She had a multitude of friends who loved her for her positive attitude, compassion, and kindness to all.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, H. Otey Meriwether, Jr.